2021 PKC Blue Ribbon "Pro" Format Update Proposal

[Jerry Moll]

Please read carefully. If you have input on these proposed changes, please contact your PKC State or Breed Representative.

We have received a request from Pro Association President, Nickey Hale, to begin using hunting judges and Open Event rules on all Friday night qualifying rounds. If passed, this proposal would become effective with the beginning of the 2021 pro hunt season on October 1, 2020. The recruitment of quality non-hunting judges continues to be harder and harder for each hunt mostly because the best judges are competing and not willing to serve as a judge.

We presented this proposal to the National Association Executive Committee and the committee unanimously agreed to present the proposal to the full body of the PKC National Association Directors for disposition.

Under this proposal, a portion of the expenses previously used for non-hunting judges would be converted to awards, which, with a contribution from PKC, would allow for all 12 cast winners failing to advance to the final to be paid $300.

The Semi-Final round and Final rounds on Saturday night would be conducted under pro rules with non-hunting judges. The Host Club, with assistance from PKC, would be required to furnish those 4 judges. These four judges must be competent and capable “Pro Level Judges”, approved by PKC. Hopefully, those 4 judges will be members of the host club. If the host club is unable to furnish the 4 judges, PKC will assist the host club in the recruitment of the 4 judges needed. These 4 judges would be paid $250 each for their services on Saturday night. Each would judge a semi-final cast, and one would be assigned to judge the final cast with the remaining 3 serving as a question panel to hear any question that might arise during the cast. The question panel will be required to be in the woods with the final cast for the duration of the cast hunting time. Should the 4 finalists choose to split the final and not compete for placement, the 4 judges would still be paid the $250 each.

Guides: If this proposal passes, it would then allow for Hunting-Guides to be used on both rounds Friday night, without the need for a “walk-along”. All Non-Hunting guides used, would be paid $40 each Friday and Saturday nights. Friday night Hunting-Guides would not be paid. All unused guide funds would go directly to the club.

Should this proposal pass the vote of the National Directors, the awards paid at a pro hunt would remain as is with the exception being that all cast winners failing to advance to the final cast would receive $300 for the Friday night cast win.

[Drake Roberson]

I like it! I’d prefer to have non hunting judges every round but if we are being honest the clubs end up having to accept anybody that has a pulse when it comes to getting their six judges. There are locals in the finals judging or on a panel of every pro hunt anyway so I don’t see how much more cheating it would cause. How many people do y’all know driving from out of town to judge for $400? I can’t name many. As far as the cast win money goes, I say we either get our entry back or put the 133 in the final four. I love the pro hunts more than any hunt out there but there needs to be some changes made.

[Eric J Henry]

Most clubs probably can't furnish 4 qualified judges so good luck getting a"Qualified" judge to drive there for one night of $250!

[Michael Ward]

I don’t mind the idea but I don’t believe the judges should be locals that they hand pick.

[Billy A Johnson]

I could see this being good and bad. Hunting judge will have it rough trying to call his dog and judge. I bet most people won’t want that job. And I bet there will be lots of questions. Get them panels ready.....

[James Paynter]

I don’t like it and it offends me but hey it’s 2020 what can I say

[Darrell Mayne]

Absolutely bad idea sure is a bad idea for the local clubs too hand pick tgere on judges you talking g about a big time screwing some out of Town guy gonna get!! Absolutely against it

[Josh slone]

I think they'd have no problem finding non hunting judges if they didnt ask alot of them to drive an hr away an judge 1 round just to come back to the club an be told there not needed late!! If they judged early the guys who lost shouldnt have the opportunity to judge late ahead of them! So many honest guys in this game why not just do away with judges ... get rid of leash lock b4 anything else imo!

[Trey Perrin]

Hunting judges would make it easier and my opinion better due to as already stated most of the better qualified judges are going to a pro hunt to hunt.... Not sure where or how to come up with the four judges for Saturday but I do see all four of them being locals a problem obviously with other local friends and buddy’s there competing in it.... BUT what ever is changed or done a cw should get your entry fee back.

[Tracy Thompson]

100 % count me out on ever hunting another pro hunt if it goes to this format just make it so we can use hunting guides and that absolutely should take care of any club that is hosting a prohunt if the hosting club can not come up with 6 real legit judges then Pkc should not allow that club to host (A PRO HUNT) Jmo!!!!!!

[Robert D Vanderburg]

I've always loved the pro hunts for the simple reason that I always feel more relaxed with no pressure to judge or guide. All I need to do is concentrate on my dog. My vote is NO. The only way I could see anything that may be benificial if changes are to be made is this: the 12 CW who do not advance to the final 4 would be paid $200 each. The 16 judges who are selected to judge on Fri night would each be paid $100. Leaving all payouts to the finalist as they currently are, as well as the proposed $250 for Sat night judges and $40 each for your Sat night guides would leave $4840 if finalist split, or $4800 if they hunt. That money would be left to PKC and the host club.

[Kevin Roberson]

Read this proposal really good!! Then you will know exactly where it came from. Then cast your vote.

100 percent of nothing is nothing!! That's about what you will have if this passes. We all know what will be voted on next so go ahead and add it to the list.

[Billy Carter]

I like the Pro Hunts. I always liked them because I didn’t have to judge and no one else I hunt against is carrying the card.

If this passes PLEASE DO AWAY WITH THE WORDING PRO HUNT. IT JUST ANOTHER LEGACY OR PRO CLASSIC.

I out on this idea. DONT SCREW WITH WHAT BUILT PKC.

I would rather pay $50 more per hunt and have PKC keep judges on retainer for the year

$50 x 64=3200
3200 x 12= 38400

Pretty sure could get judges on retainer with that amount to split

[William L Smith]

This is a really bad idea unless you want to do away with the pro hunts
I have not been to any in a long time but just got my knee fixed was planning hunting them unless this passes if it dose I’ll just stay retired

[William L Smith]

In all honesty what is a blue book and what is a blue book worth these days
Every time we turn around all you see on the measage board is Jerry moll with the post breed and state president did you get your e mail we all know it’s another rule change because someone got beat and now need to change a rule to fit the dog also I don’t think there has been a new blue book printed in several years and if they did print one the dam thing wouldn’t be any good by next month
Pkc your best hunts are your pro hunts don’t screw them up to